1. IMPORTANT:
    We launched a new online community and this space is now closed. This community will be available as a read-only resources until further notice.
    JOIN US HERE

Good external Mac drive?

Discussion in 'Computer Technology and Setup' started by Luis Vendrell, Dec 2, 2017.

  1. Luis Vendrell

    Luis Vendrell NI Product Owner

    Messages:
    97
    whats a good external MAC drive to use for music systems? I have a Mac mini that has been overwhelmed with NI's massive download. I only have 70 gigs left. Lol.
     
  2. pranaearth

    pranaearth Active Member

    Messages:
    377
    What year is your mac mini? I use external TB drives, but soon will be switching to external SSD drives. I use them for streaming only. I also have a separate external HD to keep all my project files on. But the streaming abilities all depend on what port you are using. Check out OWC, they have some nice external drives.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  3. Luis Vendrell

    Luis Vendrell NI Product Owner

    Messages:
    97
    Cool, I have a 2010-2012 Mac mini I believe. The last built before the lastest refresh. Only had a 500Gb internal flash type HDD.

    I just need mine for sample storing for now and debating to store all my NI stuff on it.

    I'll check those drives out. Thanks
     
  4. Enogimka

    Enogimka New Member

    Messages:
    8
    I just recently bought an external SSD.
    For my VST I chose the Sansung T5 external SSD.
    I discovered the T3 with Christian Henson’s YouTube video, at 2:48 he mentions it
    I looked into the specs and realize the new 90 MB/s faster so why not.
    T3 reads 450 MB/s
    VS
    T5 read 540 MB/s
    It’s quite a costy SSD I have to admit. I really haven’t had the time to test the speed yet. But I believe Christian Henson it a man that has gained much of experience with these kind of tech stuff, Just getting started myself but that’s just what I think was the best. So that was my pick.

    But if you have a 2010 or 2012 maybe even if you have the T5, you might not be able to use it to its full capability because the USB-C plug I guess you don’t have because of the age of your Mac Mini.

    And also whichever the external drive you buy. They normally always get formatted when you’re an apple user or a window user when you first use it a menu gets open to get format it as you want it to be.


    I’m not quite sure if you wanned a new SSD or just an external SSD,
    or a new HDD or external HDD.

    I don't know thought if I actually manage to properly answer to your question, for some reason I easily get off track.
    Hopefully I might have been able to help you?
     
    • Like Like x 1
  5. Luis Vendrell

    Luis Vendrell NI Product Owner

    Messages:
    97
    I have a 2017 iMac too, but I haven't exposed it to music production yet. I mainly use it for video production, but really thinking hard on swapping their roles. Will still need an external drive. I'll be looking at your recommendations too. Thanks.
     
  6. Enogimka

    Enogimka New Member

    Messages:
    8
    Hey Luis Vendrell also as you keep shopping for your drive if you have a 2017 iMac to the new Thunderbolt 3 ports are the same as the USB-C. So if a drive is advertised as having a Thunderbolt 3 well, it’s the same thing as a USB-C or a USB type C. When I first discovered about it while shopping for my laptop as my second working computer I was starting to get “mad” at those dell & HP laptop that said they had Thunderbolt.
    Personally I think the MacBooks are over price for what you get and was simple the reason I use to hate Thunderbolt cause it was initially Apple market ideas, and the thing with all the dongle. (but that’s just my opinion though)
    I was maybe just ignorant back then. But still my opinion is not more important than anyone here, I’m windows user and I know much about Apple’s computer except about the Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C compatibility.

    I'll be curious to know which drive you'll choose in the end, let me know where you made your final choice.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  7. Luis Vendrell

    Luis Vendrell NI Product Owner

    Messages:
    97
    I'll post it here. Won't be until after the holidays.. I already blew my me money.. hahaha. Gotta pay my mortgage and bills first. Gonna be looking for Xmas return discounted stuff.